Outemu Ocean vs. Bsun Tomcat (Heavy)
An in-depth look at the Outemu Ocean and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing experience, comfort, and overall satisfaction. The Outemu Ocean, a tactile switch, offers a distinct feedback feeling that many typists value for its ability to provide a satisfying, bump-like sensation without being overly loud, making it a solid option for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy), classified as a linear switch, is renowned for its smooth keypresses, featuring Ly stems that eliminate the tactile bump, resulting in a quieter and more fluid typing experience. Users who favor swift keystrokes and a more consistent feel may gravitate toward the Tomcat switch, especially if noise is a concern. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, offering unique pros depending on what you prioritize in your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
64g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.95 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended spring
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Ocean and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top housing, which results in a distinctly sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile when employing these switches. Polycarbonate's stiffer nature contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound, making it a popular choice for keyboard enthusiasts who prioritize acoustic performance. In addition, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of the switches, especially when RGB lighting is incorporated. This shared material choice ensures that users can expect a similar auditory experience and visual enhancement from both switches.
In contrast, the bottom housings of the Outemu Ocean and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) are made from nylon, which significantly alters the sound profile characteristic of these switches. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials, resulting in a deeper and fuller acoustic experience. This means that the bottom-out feel and sound will reflect the qualities of nylon, offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the brightness provided by the polycarbonate top housing. Therefore, when typing on either switch, the unique sound profile is a harmonious blend of the two materials, with each contributing its distinct properties to the overall experience.
Overall, while the Outemu Ocean and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) are crafted from the same materials for their respective top and bottom housings, their characteristics work in tandem to create a well-rounded typing experience. The sharpness of the polycarbonate top translates into an engaging auditory response, while the nylon bottom ensures a balanced acoustic effect that fosters a comfortable and satisfying typing sensation. The successful interplay of materials leads to switches that not only sound good when pressed down but also resonate beautifully during release, creating a cohesive and pleasant keyboard experience overall.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, we find that they both share the same actuation force of 55 grams. This means that users of either switch will experience a similar level of resistance when triggering a keystroke, which can be beneficial for those who prefer a consistent typing experience. However, the two switches diverge significantly in terms of bottom out force. While the Outemu Ocean's bottom out force is unavailable, the Tomcat (Heavy) features a bottom out force of 64 grams. This indicates that the Tomcat switch provides a more substantial feel when pressing all the way down, making it a heavier option overall. Those who favor lighter switches may find the Outemu Ocean more appealing, as its overall specifications suggest it may offer less resistance at the key's full depth, leading to a potentially more comfortable experience during long typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) caters to users seeking a stronger push feel for a more impactful typing experience.
Travel distance
The Outemu Ocean tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The difference in travel distance reflects a contrasting user experience; the Ocean switch provides a more traditional and deeper tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more substantial feel when pressing a key. On the other hand, the shorter 3.6 mm travel of the Tomcat (Heavy) switch may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times and increased speed in their keystrokes. While both have their advantages depending on user preference, the Outemu Ocean has the longer travel distance, which may feel more satisfying for those who appreciate a pronounced input, whereas the Bsun Tomcat provides a more responsive but potentially less gratifying experience for those who favor depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Ocean comes in at $3.10, whereas the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) comes in at $2.99.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Ocean switch remains somewhat ambiguous, as it is known for no standout auditory characteristics. In contrast, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch produces a resonant sound profile, which many users find appealing. This difference in sound may lead to a quieter typing experience with the Ocean, while the Tomcat (Heavy) offers a more pronounced acoustic signature that can enhance the overall experience for those who appreciate auditory feedback during their typing sessions. It’s important to keep in mind that the sound produced by any switch can also be influenced by the specific keyboard built and the type of keycaps used.
Regarding feel, the Outemu Ocean switch’s tactile feedback is not specified, which leaves its overall typing experience somewhat open to interpretation. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switch is well-known for its Ly stems, which provide a super smooth typing experience. This quality can result in a satisfying and effortless typing sensation, making the Tomcat (Heavy) an attractive option for users who prioritize smoothness and responsiveness. If you require tactile feedback, you may find the Ocean switch less consistent in delivering a defined typing feel, while the Tomcat (Heavy) excels in providing a pleasurable linear feel.
In summary, the primary distinctions between the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch lie in their sound and feel characteristics. The Tomcat (Heavy) offers a clearly defined sound profile and a notably smooth typing experience, while the Ocean has an undefined sound and feel. If sound and tactile feedback are important to you, the Tomcat (Heavy) would likely be the superior choice, while the Ocean may appeal to those seeking a more subdued auditory experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and the kind of experience you desire. If you enjoy a lighter touch that offers a tactile bump for feedback while typing, you might be drawn to the Ocean switch. Its design is aimed at providing a unique responsive feel, although specific details about its sound and feel were not provided, suggesting that it may cater to a different tactile experience that you may find enjoyable for casual typing or gaming where feedback matters. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial and weighty feel, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch is the way to go. With its 64-gram bottom out force and the smoothness afforded by its Ly stems, it offers a robust typing experience that can enhance both gaming and typing, especially if you enjoy a more pronounced sound profile as it can resonate beautifully with each keypress. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you prioritize a softer, tactile touch with the Ocean or a firmer, smoother linear response with the Tomcat (Heavy).
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